Elvis: Frame By Frame

Due for release April 12, 2008 is the 370 pages book "Elvis: Frame By Frame" by Bill Bram. The book will only be available through the author's website.

From the press release:

Elvis: Frame By Frame - Just Published - To be available and ready to ship starting April 12!

Hundreds of books have been published since Elvis Presley’s death yet none have seriously documented the making of his films. Elvis spent more than half of his career making films, yet this critical time period has been essentially ignored by most biographers. This book investigates the making of nine of his films, in the words of those that worked on and co-starred in them.

The author spared no expense to locate and interview hundreds of people who worked on Elvis's films, including co-stars, movie crew members, dancers, extras and stuntmen. Anecdotes and fascinating behind the scene accounts is the central focus. A large portion of the book consists of direct quotations from the interviewees, edited to create an interesting narrative of each film. It is a running commentary on Elvis’s films.

In addition the book contains information obtained directly from the movie files. Decades old questions regarding particular scenes and songs, believed to have been filmed, will be addressed and answered. Readers will find chapters on King Creole, Kid Galahad, Roustabout, Easy Come Easy Go, Double Trouble, Clambake, Live A Little, Love A Little, The Trouble With Girls and Change Of Habit. The book concludes with a fascinating chapter on the Elvis movie that should have been: A Star Is Born.

Ten pages of rare black and white photographs or movie documentation will be interspersed through out the book, never published, and obtained by the author. In addition, the author scouted and found many locations, in and around Los Angeles, used in Elvis’s films. Several location photos will be included in the book as well. Elvis: Frame By Frame will be the first book to present a detailed account into the making of Elvis’s films. Most importantly, the book offers a new perspective and understanding of the most fascinating entertainer of our time.

Reactions

Just purcahsed ``Frame By Frame´´ by Bill Bran and it was, (in my opinion), worth the money. This is obviously a labor of Love. Not much on photos. But being that I have over 300 books on our guy Elvis I am always looking for substance rather than fluff ,and this is exactly the type of book I love. A kind of thinking man´s guide to Elvis. Loved the interviews and the movie selection.Altho I hope there is a vol. 2 which will delve into the other films. The funny thing is that after I read the book I went back and wacthed the movies spoke about with a different perspective. Which is refreshing,considering I´ve seen every Elvis film 100 times. Overall a very well done book and definitely worth the read.

This may be the best book on Elvis’ movie career so far.It’s written by Bill Bram and is obviously a labour of love. Bram has interviewed lots of actors, extras and crew participating in the making of Presley’s movies.9 movies were selected for this project. The 9 are: “King Creole”, “Kid Galahad”, “Roustabout”, “Easy Come, Easy Go”, “Double Trouble”, “Clambake”, “Live a Little, Love a Little”, “The Trouble with Girls” and “Change of Habit”. The last chapter is on “A Star is Born” a movie which Elvis was considered for, but did not take part in.

The author explains why he chose these 9 movies in the foreword.

The fact that most of those titles are not among Elvis’ best should not scare you from reading this book. It’s very enjoyable reading behind the scenes accounts from people who worked with the King. They are mostly bit players, but many of the co-stars are now deceased. Dolores Hart was, surprisingly, interviewed for the “King Creole” chapter. The deceased stars are sometimes quoted from older, printed, interviews.

You’ll get the interviewees thoughts on Elvis, Colonel Parker and some of the co stars. The “Kid Galahad” chapter devotes some time on the various recollections of Charles Bronson.I like the book for not exclusively focusing on Elvis. When you get to know the supporting cast better, you get to know Elvis and the making of the films better. The directors are also, often, discussed in detail. Director Michael Curtiz was an interesting person.

You may hear incidents recalled from various sources (people). This way some stories are repeated, but they may be fleshed out by another interviewee.

The 1940’s/1950’s crooner Dick Haymes is wrongly named Dick Ames on one occasion (sorry, I just had to mention it. I like Dick Haymes. He was Frank Sinatra’s big rival on the music scene at the time.)

The proof reading could have been better. But, it is most probably not the author’s fault. Proof reading these days, are usually done electronically by computers. This may be the reason why there’s bad spelling / grammar in many newer books. After awhile you’ll get used to it. I won’t say it is a big problem. You’ll, in most cases, understand the meaning or interpret what the right word should be.

There are a few black and white pictures included, but this is a text book. So, if you’re looking for many nice pictures from the movies, look elsewhere. The ones included, though, are rare I guess (mostly private photos from the set of “Kid Galahad”).

I’ve only read the first two chapters: “King Creole” and “Kid Galahad”. I will buy “Roustabout” and watch it before reading about it.

If the rest of the book holds up I will stand by my conclusion below.

This book is a must buy for any ‘Elvis fan’ or any ‘Elvis movie fan’! I’m an Elvis fan, music fan and movie fan. I love books too!

Mr. Bram will sign your copy if you ask him. Just say what you want him to write in an e-mail.

Bill Bram has done a great job researching an often ignored part of Elvis' life and career. He recently contributed to Joseph Tunzi's "Tickle Me" book, but this is his own solo project. I think it is essential that at least some expert fans bother to wander of the beaten track, and document information that else wise soon would be lost forever. Last year Alan Hanson did the same with "Elvis '57: The Final Fifties Tours". Both these projects have taken years of hard work to complete. I loved Hanson's book, and I know Bill Bram's book also will be an absolute gem. All fans should support these kinds of publications.

It actually sound alright. I'd be interested in seeing the locations and how they have changed since Elvis made the films. I would be happy to see all his films written about, instead of just the nine. Shame the photo's inside are only in black and white, although this was a cost issue. Not sure if anything new about "A Star Is Born" can be written about, that hasn't already been already written.